Dr. Sally Merritt, Assistant Professor of Psychology, received the Faculty Excellence in Advising award today at the annual Faculty and Staff Awards Luncheon. Congratulations Dr. Merritt, we appreciate all you do for our students!

 

Three Psy/Soc students gave presentations at the undergraduate research symposium. Hanae Colquitt won first place in the poster division for her research on self-efficacy and academic achievement. Raelyn Porter's poster was about campus involvement differences between on-campus and commuter students. Kiawanna Thomas presentation addressed how normalization of substance abuse might influence drug use among high-school students. 

 

Kandice Nixon is a recent psychology graduate who is working towards her MA degree in clinical mental health counseling. She recently received certification in drug and alcohol counseling. In May, she will begin a practicum that will lead to being a fully licensed, dual clinician. Congratulations Kandice! We are very proud of your achievements. 

 

Graduates: Get in touch with us if you have a story to share. We are glad to celebrate your achievements. 

 

Gary Fisk (Professor of Psychology) recently published an invited commentary article in the journal Integrative Psychology and Behavioral Sciences. The article contributes towards increasing scientific understanding of consciousness. The focus is unconscious sensory processing. 

 

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12124-026-09993-0

 Dr, Debaleena Ghosh (Associate Professor of Sociology) attended the Midwest Sociological Society's annual conference held in St. Louis, Missouri.

She presented on a paper entitled, "Contextual and Intersectional Approach to Understand the 'Color of Success': Experiences of Asian Faculty in United States Higher Education"; She also participated as a panelist in an author-meets-critics session featuring the book "Just the Facts: Entangling Contradicting Claims" by sociologist, Joel Best.

 Several faculty members from Psychology & Sociology participated in GSW's HAIL teaching showcase. Sally Merritt, Debaleena Ghosh, Yongwon Cho, Debbie Palmer, and Gary Fisk presented in the handout session on teaching tips. Dr. Fisk's presentation won the "most useful" award. Ellen Cotter described her research proposal about teaching transparency in the poster session.

HAIL, which stands for High-Impact Approach to Integrative Learning, is GSW’s Quality Enhancement Plan - a long-term plan to improve students’ experience. It's designed to help students connect their learning across their courses, in their communities, and throughout their lives after college.

Psychology/Sociology Department attends the Southeastern Psychological Association meeting in New Orleans.

 

Several members of the Psychology/Sociology Department attended the Southeastern Psychological Association meeting in New Orleans. Hanae Colquitt won an undergraduate research award that included a cash prize. Drs. Debbie Palmer, Sally Merritt, and Yongwon Cho gave presentations.

 

Assistant Professor Presents at SPSP Annual Convention

 Dr. Yongwon Cho (Assistant Professor of Psychology) presented at the Society for Personality and Social Psychology’s Annual Convention in Chicago, Illinois on February 28th.

Psychology/Sociology Club Meets

 The Psychology/Sociology Club met on Tuesday, February 24th and enjoyed making stress balls and slime and discussing club information.

 

Congratulations

 We would like to Congratulate Dr. Sally Merritt (Assistant Professor of Psychology) and Dr. Judy Grissett (Associate Professor of Psychology) on receiving Tenure and Promotion today. We would also like to Congratulate Brandon Bell (Criminal Justice) on being promoted to Senior Lecturer.

GSW Professors Meet With Prospective Students

Debbie Palmer (Professor of Psychology) and Joseph Comeau (Associate Professor of Sociology) met with prospective GSW students on Preview Day. About six students plus their family members learned more about our programs, including Criminal Justice, Psychology/Sociology double majors, and minors. One parent remarked that he was inspired to go to college after hearing the presentation!

Debbie Palmer, Professor of Psychology

Joseph Comeau, Associate Professor of Sociology

Psychology/Sociology Fall 2025 Graduates

Congratulations to the fall, 2025 graduates! Best wishes! 

Pictured from left: Amy Gary, Lisa Chukwu, Mallory Crowder, and Lucia Bustamante

 

 

Chief Brandon Bell receives the eHero Award

Brandon Bell (Criminal Justice) has received the eHero Award given to outstanding eCampus faculty. The nominating letter praises Chief Bell for developing high-quality educational content, being responsive to student needs, and expert application of on-the-job experience. Congratulations Brandon!

https://ecampusfacultyconf.oa-event.com/ehero-awards

More photos from the Humanities Symposium

 Here are a few more photos of Psy/Soc student presentations from the Humanities Symposium. Our students are awesome!

 

Lily Dooley

 

Lilly Wilson

Jeslyn Olson

Hanae Colquitt

 

Dylan Barber

Dekeidra Laney

 

GSW Humanities Symposium 2025

Congratulations to all of the students who participated in the Humanities Symposium. It was a terrific event with lots of positive energy. We also thank the Psychology and Sociology faculty who help to run the event by chairing presentation sessions. 

 

Sergio Saladana Coellar, Dekiedra Laney

 

Dylan Barber

Hanae Colquitt

Jesslyn Olson and Dr. Yongwon Cho

Madysen Farrell

 

Lilly Wilson

Throughout the semester, students in Dr. Merritt’s Senior Seminar in Psychology have been preparing for their next steps beyond graduation. On November 6th, they put their hard work into practice during a mock interview event with Dr. Brooke Stefancik, Director of the Office of Professional and Experiential Learning. Students identified real job positions aligned with their career goals, and Dr. Stefancik used the professional materials they created in class—resumes, cover letters, and personal statements—to conduct realistic and personalized interviews that supported their career readiness.

Halloween treats to the pre-k kids

 Happy Halloween! The GSW Psychology/Sociology Department celebrated by giving out treats to the adorable pre-k kids. 

Psy/Soc Club Halloween event

 The Psychology/Sociology Club celebrated Halloween with a costume party plus pickleball tournament.